Chelsea remain interested in signing Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig this summer, football.london understands. The Blues have a long-term interest in the Frenchman and scouted him during his sensational 2021/22 season.
Nkunku was crowned as the Bundesliga Player of the Season for his efforts throughout the campaign. The 24-year-old had 34 direct goal contributions - 19 goals and 15 assists - in 33 appearances in the German top-flight as Leipzig finished fourth in the table.
The Frenchman has established himself as one of European football's most exciting attacking talents and is wanted by Chelsea as we approach the 2022 summer transfer window. With Todd Boehly now closer than ever to completing his takeover of the club, the Blues will be looking around the world for players that can improve Thomas Tuchel's squad.
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Nkunku is in contract negotiations with Leipzig at the moment, according to GOAL, but Chelsea want to take advantage of the situation. As it stands, the former Paris Saint-Germain attacker has just over two years remaining on his deal at the Red Bull Arena.
Earlier this month, Leipzig director Oliver Mintzlaff insisted Nkunku is not for sale this summer. He said: "We have clearly discussed it internally: We won't let Nkunku leave this summer, we told him and his agent."
Meanwhile, Nkunku himself committed his future to the German club back in October of last year. "If I was thinking of other clubs, we might as well forget our season goals," the Frenchman said.
"Big goals of our own are only realistic if we achieve something with Leipzig. Otherwise, these questions do not arise. I still have a contract until 2024, and I feel very comfortable at RB Leipzig."
Chelsea may look to sell on the attacking front before they seriously consider purchasing, however. The likes of Timo Werner, Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech and Romelu Lukaku have all been linked with exits from Stamford Bridge in recent weeks after underwhelming personal seasons for the Blues.
The club will have money to spend in the transfer market regardless. According to a report from the Telegraph recently, Boehly is set to hand Tuchel £200million to improve his Chelsea squad and try to reduce the gap between Manchester City and Liverpool before the new season starts.
